Senate Bill 139 mandates that all public school districts in Oklahoma prohibit the use of personal electronic devices by students during school hours, from the first bell to the last.
To align with this legislation, the Collinsville Board of Education has adopted Policy 4.37. This law will officially take effect in the 2025-2026 school year, establishing a requirement for students to refrain from using personal electronic devices throughout the instructional day. This includes cellphones, smartwatches, headphones, laptops, tablets, and smart glasses; however, school-issued devices, such as Chromebooks used for educational purposes, are exempt from this restriction.
In light of this policy, students will need to store their personal electronic devices in their backpacks, lockers, Chromebook cases, or designated areas, ensuring that they are powered off during school hours. Each school will provide further details about the specific procedures for device storage.
The state law does recognize certain exceptions, allowing students to use their personal devices in cases of emergency, such as medical crises or natural disasters, where prompt communication is necessary for safety. Additionally, students monitoring health conditions, as well as those with special needs whose IEP, Medical Plan, or 504 Plan specifies the use of devices for instructional purposes, will also be accommodated under this policy.
Please be aware that any violations of this policy may result in disciplinary actions, which will be outlined in the student handbooks.
